Abstract: A method and a system implementing the method, are disclosed for computing magnetic interferences in measurement while drilling operations, using the retrieved lateral, and axial magnetic interferences of the measurement while drilling downhole tool system. With the disclosed method and system of implementing the method, it can be determined whether the source of the magnetic interference is from the measurement while drilling downhole tool system lateral direction or its axial direction. When magnetic field strength is abnormal, the lateral and axial magnetic interferences are monitored, and then compared against their values before the abnormal magnetic field strength. This way the direction of the magnetic interference is analyzed to eliminate or judge the cause of the interference, and properly guide the measurement while drilling downhole tool system towards its reservoir or well location.

Abstract: A drilling system that includes a mud pump disposed on an earth surface and a drill string with a bottom hole assembly (BHA) in a borehole. The drilling system can be controlled by turning the mud pump ON or OFF according to a pre-determined sequence so that the mud flow in the borehole fluctuates between high and low. The mud pulser in the bottom hole assembly senses the fluctuation in the mud flow and generates a binary signal accordingly. The mud pulser further sends the binary signal to a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) tool in the bottom hole assembly. The binary signal executes one or more firmware in the MWD tool.

Abstract: A method for controlling a MWD tool in a bottom hole assembly in a borehole includes the steps of installing a plurality of firmware in the MWD tool, turning a mud pump on an earth surface ON or OFF according to a pre-determined sequence; determining a mud flow in the borehole to be ON or OFF so as to form a binary signal; and sending the binary signal to the MWD tool. The plurality of firmware are pre-programmed to perform a plurality of tasks while the binary signal executes one of the plurality of firmware in the MWD tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting and storing sensor data for an oil drilling system is disclosed. The apparatus for collecting and storing sensor data may include a drill string including a bottom whole assembly which includes a drill bit and a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) assembly; a master board including a master board micro controller unit (MCU) in the MWD assembly; a plurality of sensor boards to sense and collect sensor data; a removable central storage unit, including a central storage unit MCU in the MWD assembly, to store sensor data collected by the plurality of sensor boards; and an internal bus coupled to the master board, the plurality of sensor boards, and the removable central storage unit to carry sensor data from the plurality of sensor boards to the removable central storage unit for storage by the removable central storage unit.

Abstract: A method and a system implementing the method, are disclosed for computing magnetic interferences in measurement while drilling operations, using the retrieved lateral, and axial magnetic interferences of the measurement while drilling downhole tool system. With the disclosed method and system of implementing the method, it can be determined whether the source of the magnetic interference is from the measurement while drilling downhole tool system lateral direction or its axial direction. When magnetic field strength is abnormal, the lateral and axial magnetic interferences are monitored, and then compared against their values before the abnormal magnetic field strength. This way the direction of the magnetic interference is analyzed to eliminate or judge the cause of the interference, and properly guide the measurement while drilling downhole tool system towards its reservoir or well location.

Abstract: A data sampling and collection system in an oil drilling system includes a data acquirer installed in the measurement sub to transmit a sampling collector identification signal to one of a plurality of sampling collectors coupled to the data acquirer. Each sampling collector includes a sensor and a plurality of random access memory (RAM) pages to store sensor data received from the sensor. When one of the sampling collectors receives the enable signal from the data acquirer, a current RAM page currently receiving sensor data from the sensor continues to receive sensor data without interruption and an immediately preceding RAM page storing a last completed page of received sensor data is transmitted from the one sampling collector to a memory of the data acquirer and from there to a surface computing system. As such, recent data is retrieved and transmitted for processing without interrupting the continuous collection of sensor data.

Abstract: A method for assessing reliability of an electronic component under downhole vibration conditions include designing a set of vibration test conditions and conduct failure analysis. The vibration test conditions include the natural vibration frequency, the overstress limit of the test vehicle, and the step stress profile for testing the test vehicle. The failure analysis of the failed electronic component includes the step of measuring an electrical resistance of the failed electronic component without a vibration load. When the electrical resistance of the failed electronic component remains large, the failed electronic component is cross-sectioned. Finally, the cross-sectioned electronic component is examined to identify a failure mode.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting and storing sensor data for an oil drilling system is disclosed. The apparatus for collecting and storing sensor data may include a drill string including a bottom whole assembly which includes a drill bit and a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) assembly; a master board including a master board micro controller unit (MCU) in the MWD assembly; a plurality of sensor boards to sense and collect sensor data; a removable central storage unit, including a central storage unit MCU in the MWD assembly, to store sensor data collected by the plurality of sensor boards; and an internal bus coupled to the master board, the plurality of sensor boards, and the removable central storage unit to carry sensor data from the plurality of sensor boards to the removable central storage unit for storage by the removable central storage unit.

Abstract: A method for controlling a MWD tool in a bottom hole assembly in a borehole includes the steps of installing a plurality of firmware in the MWD tool, turning a mud pump on an earth surface ON or OFF according to a pre-determined sequence; determining a mud flow in the borehole to be ON or OFF so as to form a binary signal; and sending the binary signal to the MWD tool. The plurality of firmware are pre-programmed to perform a plurality of tasks while the binary signal executes one of the plurality of firmware in the MWD tool.

Abstract: A drilling system that includes a mud pump disposed on an earth surface and a drill string with a bottom hole assembly (BHA) in a borehole. The drilling system can be controlled by turning the mud pump ON or OFF according to a pre-determined sequence so that the mud flow in the borehole fluctuates between high and low. The mud pulser in the bottom hole assembly senses the fluctuation in the mud flow and generates a binary signal accordingly. The mud pulser further sends the binary signal to a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) tool in the bottom hole assembly. The binary signal executes one or more firmware in the MWD tool.

Abstract: A data sampling and collection system in an oil drilling system includes a data acquirer installed in the measurement sub to transmit a sampling collector identification signal to one of a plurality of sampling collectors coupled to the data acquirer. Each sampling collector includes a sensor and a plurality of random access memory (RAM) pages to store sensor data received from the sensor. When one of the sampling collectors receives the enable signal from the data acquirer, a current RAM page currently receiving sensor data from the sensor continues to receive sensor data without interruption and an immediately preceding RAM page storing a last completed page of received sensor data is transmitted from the one sampling collector to a memory of the data acquirer and from there to a surface computing system. As such, recent data is retrieved and transmitted for processing without interrupting the continuous collection of sensor data.

Abstract: A method for operating a drilling system that has a mud pump disposed on an earth surface and a drill string with a bottom hole assembly (BHA) in a borehole. The method involves turning the mud pump ON or OFF according to a pre-determined sequence so that the mud flow in the borehole fluctuates between high and low. The mud pulser in the bottom hole assembly senses the fluctuation in the mud flow and generates a binary signal accordingly. The mud pulser further sends the binary signal to a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) tool in the bottom hole assembly. The binary signal executes one or more firmware in the MWD tool.

Abstract: In a method for preparing a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), the PCBA has a base circuit board having a plurality of electronic components installed thereon. First, the surface of the PCBA is cleaned with a cleaner. After cleaning, the staking material is applied around the plurality of electronic components around the circumference of the plurality of electronic components. After applying the staking material, the PCBA with the staking material is cured and inspected.

Abstract: A method for operating a drilling system that has a mud pump disposed on an earth surface and a drill string with a bottom hole assembly (BHA) in a borehole. The method involves turning the mud pump ON or OFF according to a pre-determined sequence so that the mud flow in the borehole fluctuates between high and low. The mud pulser in the bottom hole assembly senses the fluctuation in the mud flow and generates a binary signal accordingly. The mud pulser further sends the binary signal to a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) tool in the bottom hole assembly. The binary signal executes one or more firmware in the MWD tool.

Abstract: A printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) for downhole applications has a printed circuit board (PCB) and a plurality of electronic components installed on the PCB. The PCB comprises a polyimide substrate, a lead-free surface finish, a plurality of traces, a plurality of surface mount pads, and a plurality of VIAs. The ratio between the width of one of the plurality of surface mount pads to the width of the trace connected thereto is 2 or less.

Abstract: In a method for preparing a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), the PCBA has a base circuit board having a plurality of electronic components installed thereon. First, the surface of the PCBA is cleaned with a cleaner. After cleaning, the staking material is applied around the plurality of electronic components around the circumference of the plurality of electronic components. After applying the staking material, the PCBA with the staking material is cured and inspected.

Abstract: A printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) for downhole applications has a printed circuit board (PCB) and a plurality of electronic components installed on the PCB. The PCB comprises a polyimide substrate, a lead-free surface finish, a plurality of traces, a plurality of surface mount pads, and a plurality of VIAs. The ratio between the width of one of the plurality of surface mount pads to the width of the trace connected thereto is 2 or less.

Abstract: A method for assessing reliability of an electronic component under downhole vibration conditions include designing a set of vibration test conditions and conduct failure analysis. The vibration test conditions include the natural vibration frequency, the overstress limit of the test vehicle, and the step stress profile for testing the test vehicle. The failure analysis of the failed electronic component includes the step of measuring an electrical resistance of the failed electronic component without a vibration load. When the electrical resistance of the failed electronic component remains large, the failed electronic component is cross-sectioned. Finally, the cross-sectioned electronic component is examined to identify a failure mode.